Rising Stars 2026: Julia Leone  

Julia Leone, 34 
Assistant director, research and organizational development 
Short Line Safety Institute  
 
Nominator’s quote: “In just five short years, Julia has had an impact on every safety culture offering of the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI). Her work in developing a systematic approach to evaluating outcomes of completed safety culture assessments (SCA) has not only ensured the fidelity of the SCA process, it has led to insights that have driven the development of new programs offered by the SLSI.” —  Tom Murta, SLSI 

Education: I attended the University of Arizona’s Honors College and majored in psychology and minored in liberal arts astronomy; an award was created for me as I was the first student to complete an honors thesis for both their major and minor. I graduated with a PhD, MS and MPhil in industrial/organizational psychology from City University of New York’s Graduate Center and Baruch College. 
 
Job responsibilities: I manage SLSI’s research partnerships with the Federal Railroad Administration, University of Connecticut and the Volpe Center. I conduct, publish and present research on the strengths and opportunities for improvement of the short-line and regional railroad industry. I also analyze all feedback data that we receive from SCAs and our leadership development courses in efforts to continuously improve our processes and resources. My other duties include internal process improvements such as reviewing and updating protocols, evaluating the fidelity of SLSI’s SCA processes, developing new resources to better serve the industry’s needs, and ensuring best practices for data collection and analysis. 
 
Describe your career path. 
After graduating in 2020, I got hired with the SLSI as manager and have since been promoted to my current position. I see my path forward as continuously moving up in the rail industry. 
 
What was your first job and what did you learn from it? 
My first job as a graduated adult was with the SLSI. About myself: I learned that I’m very organized and am generally pleasant to work with. About the world: I learned that some people don’t know that trains still exist, and others are very passionate about railroading and have great insights to share. It is important to connect with and learn from both groups to keep the industry prosperous. 
 
What sparked your interest in the rail industry? What told you it could be a place for you to thrive? 
During graduate school, I was the social chair for a monthly networking group for industrial and organizational psychologists in New York City. This group had an online job board and that was where I discovered the Short Line Safety Institute’s opening. I knew I could thrive in this industry because I’m a determined, hard-working young woman, and railroading needs and wants more of us. I enjoy learning and asking questions, conducting research, presenting in front of an audience, networking and doing meaningful work — the rail industry allows me to do all of that and more, all while knowing I’m making the job safer for railroaders who keep our country moving. 
 
What’s one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned in your career? 
That safety is not just a rule, but a way of life. The message of safety cannot be repeated enough. At work, senior leadership, management and employees must prioritize safety over all other competing demands, and this message must be said frequently and in different formats. At home, safety still has to remain at the top of the list, whether while driving a car, doing yard work or lifting at the gym. 
 
What are your passions outside of work? 
Physical fitness, volunteering and mentoring. I volunteer and am a board member of Therapeutic Riding of Tucson, an equine therapy program. I also mentor college students and am on the advisory board to the dean of Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona. 
 
How do you plan to keep making an impact in your corner of the industry? 
I plan to keep asking questions and moving forward. As a researcher, specifically in the field of safety, new discoveries can be the difference between life and death. Outreach and sharing insights with different audiences can improve someone’s work life and culture. I plan to continue publishing and presenting work in various outlets, continue to be a role model for young professionals by working hard and reaching my goals, and continue to push the industry’s visibility that this is a fun place to work with a lot of different types of job roles and opportunities. 
 
What’s the biggest challenge facing the rail industry today? 
Recruitment of high-quality candidates. The railroad is not seen as a career destination for most young people, despite the many outreach programs that exist today. I think the industry would benefit from a major marketing campaign highlighting the benefits of a railroading career.